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Maps · head to head

Google Maps Platform vs GraphHopper

Google Maps Platform logo

Google Maps Platform

Maps

Comprehensive set of APIs and SDKs that allow developers to embed Google

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
GraphHopper logo

GraphHopper

Maps

Open-source routing engine for road networks, providing fast route calculations, turn-by-turn navigation

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Google Maps Platform has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Google Maps Platform free allowances are per service rather than pooled, at 10,000 events a month for dynamic maps, geocoding and autocomplete; GraphHopper the free plan is non commercial use only
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Google Maps Platform and GraphHopper actually diverge.

Attributes where Google Maps Platform and GraphHopper differ
AttributeGoogle Maps PlatformGraphHopper
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierYesNo
Founded2005Unknown

Identical on both: platforms (Web), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Maps).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Google Maps Platform

Nothing recorded that GraphHopper does not also cover.

Only in GraphHopper

Nothing recorded that Google Maps Platform does not also cover.

Both cover

  • Core Functionality
  • User Interface

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Google Maps Platform

  • Embedding dynamic maps, Street View and photorealistic 3D tiles in an applicationnot GraphHopper
  • Route computation, navigation and fleet route optimisationnot GraphHopper
  • Geocoding, place autocomplete and address validationnot GraphHopper
  • Environmental data including weather, solar, air quality and pollennot GraphHopper
  • Geospatial analytics through Earth Enginenot GraphHopper

GraphHopper

  • Routing, distance matrix and route optimisation over an APInot Google Maps Platform
  • Map matching GPS traces and generating isochronesnot Google Maps Platform

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Google Maps Platform

  • Free allowances are per service rather than pooled, at 10,000 events a month for dynamic maps, geocoding and autocomplete
  • Dynamic Maps cost $7.00 per 1,000 calls at the entry tier
  • Geocoding and the Directions API both cost $5.00 per 1,000 calls at the entry tier
  • Pricing is tiered by volume, so the effective unit price depends on total monthly usage and is hard to predict in advance
  • Billing is usage based with no flat plan, so a traffic spike is a cost spike

GraphHopper

  • The free plan is non commercial use only
  • Free allows 500 credits a day, 5 locations per request and a single vehicle
  • Request complexity is capped per plan, at 30 locations and 2 vehicles on Basic at 69 EUR a month, rising to 200 locations and 20 vehicles on Premium at 479 EUR
  • Isochrone range is limited by plan, at 15 minutes on Basic and 30 on Premium
  • Credits are a daily allowance, so a busy day cannot draw on a quiet one

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Maps Platform

Free
  • Starter$100/month
    • 50,000 monthly calls
    • Dynamic Maps
    • Geocoding
  • Essentials$275/month
    • 100,000 monthly calls
    • Dynamic Maps
    • Geocoding
  • Pro$1200/month
    • 250,000 monthly calls
    • All Essentials features
    • Address Validation Pro
  • Enterprise$null/month
    • Custom monthly call allowances
    • Maximum flexibility
    • Extensive customization

GraphHopper

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the GraphHopper review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Google Maps Platform if

  • You want to start without paying.
Google Maps Platform review

Choose GraphHopper if

Nothing in the data separates GraphHopper from Google Maps Platform on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

GraphHopper review

Questions people ask

Is Google Maps Platform or GraphHopper better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Maps Platform starts at Free and GraphHopper at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Maps Platform or GraphHopper?
Google Maps Platform has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Google Maps Platform and On request for GraphHopper.
Does Google Maps Platform or GraphHopper run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Google Maps Platform for free?
Yes. Google Maps Platform has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. GraphHopper starts at On request.
What is Google Maps Platform best used for?
Google Maps Platform is most often used for embedding dynamic maps, street view and photorealistic 3d tiles in an application, route computation, navigation and fleet route optimisation, geocoding, place autocomplete and address validation, environmental data including weather, solar, air quality and pollen. Of those, embedding dynamic maps, street view and photorealistic 3d tiles in an application and route computation, navigation and fleet route optimisation are not what GraphHopper is typically brought in for.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Google Maps Platform: How much does Google Maps Platform cost?

Google Maps Platform offers subscription plans starting at $100/month for the Starter plan (50,000 calls), $275/month for Essentials (100,000 calls), and $1,200/month for Pro (250,000 calls). Enterprise pricing is custom.

Source
GraphHopper: Is the free plan actually usable for production?

No. The free tier is limited to non-commercial use only and includes 500 daily credits. To use GraphHopper in production, you need a paid plan starting at 69 euros per month.

Source
Google Maps Platform: Is there a free tier for Google Maps Platform?

Yes, Google Maps Platform provides a free tier with 10,000 calls per SKU monthly for Essentials and Pro products, plus automatic volume discounts starting at 20% for usage exceeding 100K monthly requests.

Source
GraphHopper: What happens if I exceed my daily credit limit?

The page does not specify. Each tier has a daily credit limit (500 for free, 5,000 for Basic, 15,000 for Standard, 50,000 for Premium), but no overage policy is documented.

Source
Google Maps Platform: What API products are included in each Google Maps tier?

Starter includes Dynamic Maps and Geocoding. Essentials adds Autocomplete, Geolocation, Place Details, Time Zone, Routes, Air Quality, Solar API, and Weather. Pro adds Address Validation, Places Aggregate API, Nearby Search Pro, Text Search Pro, Immersive Maps, Aerial View, Elevation, Route Optimization, and Pollen.

Source
GraphHopper: Does GraphHopper offer a trial period?

No. There is no trial period. You can start with the free plan to test, but commercial use requires a paid subscription.

Source
Google Maps Platform: Do new Google Maps Platform customers get any trial credits?

Yes, new customers receive $300 in trial credit toward their Google Maps Platform usage.

Source
GraphHopper: How much does the Premium plan cost and what do I get?

Premium is 479 euros per month and includes 50,000 daily credits, up to 200 locations per request, up to 20 vehicles, email and phone support, and access to all APIs including routing and optimization.

Source
GraphHopper: Is there a discount if I link back to GraphHopper?

Yes. A 20% discount is available with proper attribution. The page also mentions a 99.5% uptime SLA on paid plans only.

Source
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